Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/325

Rh manner changed and she stopped in front of the table and, looking laughingly at Robert, said, "I wish you could see yourself, now."

The face of the young express flushed slightly as he replied, "I'm happy even if my clothes don't look as new as they ought."

"‘The beggars are come to town.' I can see some in rags and some in tags, but I don't see any in velvet gowns."

"Ho! ho! ho!" roared Josh.

"Where did you meet with your mishap, kind sir?" inquired Hannah demurely.

"I am indebted to Claud Brown for all that." Robert spoke quietly, but he looked boldly into Josh's face as he spoke.

"I know how, and what for," said the huge man, as if he prided himself upon the keenness of his vision.

"Yes, I have no doubt. And before he's done with it, Claud Brown will be asking himself a hundred times why he ever was so foolish as to do it," spoke up Hannah.

"You can trust Claud Brown. He's cute," said Josh sagely.

"‘Trust' him?" retorted Hannah. "I'd as soon trust a rattler or a spotted adder."

"Ho! ho!" roared Josh, leaning back in his chair, which threatened to give way be-